Plane



Marh 21, 1944.

J. L. PRINGLE 2,344,897

PLANE Filed July 10, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOHN L. PRINGLE A TTORNEY.

J. L. PRINGLE PLANE March 21, 1944.

Filed July 10, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 z i ll Z FIG.L2.

4! FIG.1'7.

%c JOHN L PRINGLE v 0,3 ATTORNEY.

INVENT OR.

Patented Mar. 21, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- PLANE John L. Pringle, Monroe, La. Application July 10, 1941, Serial No. 401,695

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in planes. One of the objects is to produce a simple and highly efficient tool of this kind adapted to perform the usual functions of an ordinary block plane, or surface plane, and also adapted to form tongues, grooves and rabbets. A further object is to produce a strong and durable structure that can be very easily and quickly adjusted to most effectively accomplish all of these results.

Another object is to produce a simple gage device adjustable across the sole of a plane to .frictionally engage a side of the work, thereby accurately predetermining the widths of certain portions of the work to be exposed to the cutting edge of theplane. In forming rabbets, tongues and grooves, this feature insures a. very high degree of accuracy, while saving time and reducing the labor of the cutting operations.

Another object is to produce a simple arrangement of spurs which increase the accuracy and improve the quality of the finished work. Additional features include a depth gage and simple reversible blades for use in performing the various different kinds of operations.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention comprises the novel construction,

combination and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it isto be understood that the invention extends to variations and modifications within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a supplemental stock member.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the main stock member.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a guide member adapted to serve as a width gage.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the plane as it appears when the elements are arranged to form a block plane.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6. is .a transverse section on the line 6-6 inFig.5..

Fig. 7 isa section on the line 1 1 in Fig. 5.

:Fig.8is a section on the line 8-8 in Fig. 4

showing the spurs which are located ahead of the blade in the plane.

' Fig. 9 is a view of a portion of the outer side of the supplemental stock member,- showing the depth gage.

Fig. 10 a, diagrammatical transverse section showing the supplemental stock member contacting with the main stock member to provide a stock for a block plane, or surface plane.

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the stock members separated from each other to provide a space between them.

Fig. 12 is a diagraimnatical view showing the stock members separated from each other as in Fig. 11, and equipped with a blade to form a tongue, in addition to a width gage or guide bar frictionally engaging one side of the work.

Fig; 13 is a similar-view showing the locations of the spurs when the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing the parts positioned to form a groove.

Fig. 15 shows the locations of the spurs when the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the block plane in service as a rabbeting plane.

Fig. 17 shows the positions of the spurs when the tool is employed as a rabbeting plane. I

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a modified form of the stock wherein the stock members are formed integral with each other.

To illustrate one form of the invention I have shown a main stock member A having a sole 1 and an inclined blade seat 2 extending upwardly from said sole; An opening 3 is formed at the bottom of the inclined seat to receive the cutting edge of the blade; As shown in- Fig. I and Fig. 2, this main stock member A is open at one side to receive a supplemental stock member'B having a sole 4, an inclined-blade seat 5 and an opening 6 at the bottom of said seat 5.

When the parts are assembled to form a block plane, the opening 6 registers with and forms a continuation of the opening 3, the blade seat 5 lies flush with and parallel with the inclined.

seat 2, and the sole 4 of the supplemental stock member is likewise flush with and parallel with the sole l of the main stock member.

The means for adjustably connecting these stock members comprises horizontal rods I extending from the inner side of the supplemental stock member and slidably fitted to the main stock member. Set screws 8 may be employed to detachably secure said rods in the main stock member. In addition to the adjustable connect- .ing rods, I have shown an adjustable fulcrum formed by a rod 9 extending from the supplemental stock member and sl'idably telescoped with a tube In extending from the main stock member. When the tool is in service, a blade of any suitable type may be seated on the inclined blade seats, and the telescoping fulcrum 9--|ll is then utilized to secure the blade. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, a clamping member Il may be located between the fulcrum 9--| and a blade 12. The lower portion of this clamping member contacts with the blade, while an intermediate portion pivotally contacts with the fulcrum tube I I], and a higher portion is provided with a suitable operating means, such as a screw I3 to firmly clamp the blade onto the inclined seat.

As shown in Fig. 2, the main stock member may be provided with suitable cavities l4 and to receive portions of the hand of :the operator.

Attention is now directed to certain details of the supplemental stock member shown most clearly in Fig. 1. The inner face of this stock member is provided with a groove id to receive a side margin of the blade, said groove having an inclined bottom wall forming a seat for .said margin of the blade. A tongue 11 extends downwardly from and forms a continuation of said inclined bottom wall, so as to provide the con.-

tinuous inclined blade seat 5. The outer face of the supplemental stock member .13 is provided with a longitudinal downwardly f-acing horizontal shoulder 18 at one side of the top of said extended inclined tongue J1.

Figures are 8, inclusive, illustrate conditions which exist when the tool is employed as a simple block plane. The supplemental stock member B thencontaots with the main stock member A, and any of the usual blades or bits can be secured in the united stock members. Without in any way disturbing these conditions, the tool can be employed to form rabbets in work I9, as suggested in Fig. 16 However, in forming rabbets, tongues, grooves and the like, I prefer to employ certain auxiliary devices which will be hereinafter described.

To establish a condition desirable in formin tongues and grooves, the supplemental stock member 1B is-separated from the main stock member A, as suggested in Fig. 11, thereby providing a space 20 between said stock members. It is to be understood that the space 20 may be of any desired predetermined width, and that the means for connecting the stock members will not interfere with the portions of the work entering into said space. When the stock members are separated as suggested in Fig.1 1, the tool may be employed to form a tongue on work 2| as shown in Fig. 12, or a groove in work 22 as shown in Fig. 14. In these tongue and. grooving operations, a suitable blade 23spans the space between the stock members, and said blade has a recess 24 registering with said space. However, it will be observed that the blade is firmly seated on the inclined seats 2 and 5 of the stock members which lie at opposite sides of the work-receiving space. The inclined tongue I! of the supplemental stock member provides a firm brace for a narrow portion of the blade, and this tongue H may lie at one side of the work 2! as shown in Fig. 12,'or it may enter into the work, as shown in Fig. 'l-fl.

The single blade 23 (Figures 12 and 14') is reversible, and it may be provided with recesses 2 -1 of 'difierent dimensions in its top and bottom cutbar carried by and adjustable transversely of the main stock member A, said gage having a vertical friction surface 25 located beneath the sole of said main stock member and at one side of the space between the stock members, so as to frictionally engage the work in an area lower than said space, as shown in Figures 12 and 14. This width gage, or guide bar, is arranged longitudinally of the main stock member, and it can be adjustably secured in any suitable manner. For example, the ends of this elongated bar may be provided with lugs 26 and 21 having inclined innor faces slidably fitted to correspondingly inclined faces at the ends of the main stock member, as shown in Fig. 5. The ends of said gage are thus slidably interlocked with the ends of the stock, so the simple gage can be readily adjusted across the sole of the main stock member. To produce a relatively firm interlock, the lug 21 may be provided with a groove 28 to receive a rib 25 at one end of the main stock member. After this elongated gage bar has been adjusted to the desired position it may be secured by means of a simple set screw '30 passing through the lug 2'1 and engaging an end ofthe main stock member.

Fig. 16 shows said :bar 6 positioned to accurately predetermine the width of a rabbet, and at the same time serve as a guide for the plane. Fig. 12 shows the same bar positioned to determine the location of a tongue, the vertical face '25 of said lbar being in frictional contact with a side face of the work'2l at a prede'termineddistance from the tongue-receiving space between the separated stock members. Fig. 14 illustrates a similar condition in the formation of a groove, wherein the friction face 25 lies adjacent to the work-receiving space between the stock members. The :top of said bar C is recessed at 43 (Figures 3 and 5) to receive a portion of the cutting edge of the blade.

As a means for predetermining the depth of -a cut in forming rabbets, tongues, grooves, and

the like, I have shown a depth gage D (Fig. 9) comprising an abutment 'foot 3.1 located at the outer side of the supplemental stock member .and having a bottom face higher than the sole 4 of said stock member, .a guide leg 32 extending upwardly from said abutment 3]., and a screw 33 ad'jnstably securing said guide leg to thesupplemental stock member. This guide leg 32 is slidably mounted in a vertical opening 34 which extends from the top of the supplemental stock member to the horizontal shoulder l 8 at the outer side of said stock member.

I will now refer to the spurs mployed in forming tongues, grooves, rabbets, and the like. Spurs 35 and 36 are slidably mounted in opposite sides of the supplemental stock member B, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, md diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 13, 15 and 17. The outer spur 35 is adjustably secured by means of a set screw 3'! shown in Figures 4 and 8. The inner spur 36 is slotted to receive an attaching screw 38 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8. Both of these spurs .35 and 3b can be adjusted vertically to project from the sole of the supplemental stock member, as shown in Fig. 15, or to lie entirely above saldsole as shown in Fig. 8. In forming a groove, both of said spurs 35 and 33 are extended as shown in Fig. 15. In forming a rabbet, the spur 35 is extended as shown in Fig. 1'7, while the spur 36 lies entirely above the work.

A third spur 39 lies between the main and supplemental stock members. This spur 39 is carried by an approximately L-shaped holder shown in Figures 4, and 8, said holder comprising an elongated member 40 slidable transversely of the main stock member A and provided with a lateral extension 4| which lies directly between the stock members A and B. The slidable member 4|] is slotted to receive an attaching screw 42 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8. The spur 39 is adjustable vertically in the lateral extension 4|. It will be observed that the spur holder comprising the elongated member 40 and its lateral extension 4| can be adjusted to shift the spur 39 toward and away from the supplemental stock member B.

In forming a tongue, the spurs 36 and 39 are adjusted to operative positions at opposite sides of the tongue, as shown in Fig. 13, while the spur 35 is located entirely above the work.

In Figures 1 to 17 I have shown a supplemental stock member B adjustable toward and away from a main stock member A to vary the width of the space between said stock members. Important advantages are gained by providing for such variations in the work-receiving space, but if desired, the stock members may be formed integral with each other. Fig. 18 illustrates a modification of this kind wherein a supplemental stock member B is separated from a main stock member A to provide a space 20 between said stock members. These separated stock members are formed integral with each other, but their details may conform approximately to Figures 11 to 15 inclusive.

I claim:

1. A plane comprising a main stock member having a relatively wide blad seat, a supplemental stock member provided with a narrower blade seat, said supplemental stock member be ing separated from the main stock member to provide a space between said stock members, and a blade spanning the space between said stock members, said blade having cutting edges and a recess between said cutting edges registering with said space between the stock members, said recess being offset from the center of the blade, and the widths of said blade seats being approximately equal to the lengths of said cutting edges.

2. A plane comprising a main stock member having a relatively wide inclined blade seat, a supplemental stock member narrower than the blade seat of said main stock member, said stock members being separated from each other to provide a space between them, the inner face of said supplemental stock member being provided with a groove to receive a side margin of a blade, said groove having an inclined bottom wall, a tongue having an inclined top face extending downwardly from and forming a continuation of said inclined bottom wall, so as to provide a continuou relatively narrow inclined blade seat within said supplemental stock member, said inclined wide and narrow blade seats being parallel with each other and flush with each other, and a blade spanning the space between said stock members and seated upon said wide and narrow blade seats, said blade having cutting edges and a recess between said cutting edges registering with the space between said stock members, said recess being offset from the center of the blade so as to provide a relatively short cutting edge conforming approximately to the width of said narrow blade seat and a longer cutting edge conforming approximately to the width of said relatively wide blade seat.

JOHN L. PRINGLE. 

